If you live in California, you prepare for earthquakes. If you like in Oklahoma, you prepare for tornados. And if you live in Florida, you prepare for hurricanes. But when you prepare, there is a lot more that goes into preparing than just getting survival supplies for one particular type of disaster.

When you plan and prepare for a Worst Case Scenario Disaster, you have a much greater chance at surviving than someone that does nothing at all. When you prepare for a “Worst Case Scenario Disaster” Emotionally, Financially, Mentally, Physically, Psychologically and Spiritually, you will survive. And when planning and preparing, it is recommended to consider the following:

First question you want to ask yourself is, Do you want to survive? If the answer is yes, then why? So you want to survive just to live? To help build a new future? To help others? To survive for your spouse and children? Or for what? Everyone needs a reason to survive.

What is the difference between Survival and Survivalism? Survival means “Knowing How to Stay Alive” until the emergency is over, esp. under adverse or unusual conditions or circumstances. Survivalism is a philosophy – a way of life. The primary goal of survivalism, by any method chosen, is to increase the odds for the continued existence of individuals or groups of individuals, when faced with a life threatening situation. It means knowing how to stay alive until the emergency or disaster is over. Survivalism is “Knowledge and Skills”, it is not your supplies or gadgets.

What does it take to Survive?

#1 The “Will to Survive” is the very first and most important thing you must have in order to survive any situation. Without this “Personal Will”, no matter how much knowledge, skill and supplies you have, you will not survive.

#2 The Ability to Survive is having the resources along with #’s 3,4, 5 and 6.

#3 Survival Awareness is knowing what is going on around you at all times and being ready and prepared for what comes.

#4 Survival Knowledge is an asset that is self explanatory, knowing what to do and when.

#5 Survival Skills is an asset that is also self explanatory.

#6 Survival Savvy is the ability the think outside of the box while in difficult situations. It is using your knowledge and skills and your available resources at hand to survive.

Training is for the areas of knowledge and skills you are weak in and getting the training and practice those skills before it is too late.

Sheltering In Place or a Survival Retreat is a fortified and well stocked location that you, your family and/or survival group can survive while keeping a very low profile.

Children are often overlooked when planning and preparing. They will need extra attention and small stuffed animals and something they like to help keep them occupied while the parents are surviving.

Elderly are also often overlooked when planning and preparing, especially if they are bed ridden or in a wheel chair, so plan ahead.

Medical and Special Needs problems with certain people is another overlooked issue. These types of people are hospitalized, in nursing homes, who are bed ridden home patients, have Diabetes etc. that need specific care and/or certain types of expensive or hard to get medications.

And last is Pets. Please make sure you have plans (extra pet food and water) for your pets during and after a major disaster.